Cast: Ashish, Vaishnavi Chaitanya, Simran Choudhary, Rajeev Kanakala, Ravi Krishna
Director: Arun Bhimavarapu
Music: M.M. Keeravani
Cinematography: P.C. Sreeram
Art Director: Kolla Avinash
Producers: Harshith Reddy, Hanshitha Reddy, Naga Malladi
Release Date: May 25, 2024
The latest film starring Ashish and Vaishnavi Chaitanya, titled “Love Me” (If You Dare), is directed by Arun and produced under the Dil Raju Productions banner. The movie revolves around the intriguing concept of a hero falling in love with a ghost. The trailers and teasers released prior to the film have significantly raised audience expectations. With its theatrical release on May 25, the question remains: has the film succeeded in impressing viewers? And has Vaishnavi Chaitanya once again captured the audience’s attention with her performance? We’ll explore these questions in this review.
What’s the story?
Arjun (Ashish) and Pratap (Ravi Krishna) manage a YouTube channel dedicated to ghost stories and haunted locations. During one of their discussions, Pratap’s girlfriend, Priya (Vaishnavi Chaitanya), mentions a ghost named Divyavathi that haunts her crumbling apartment. Curious, Arjun visits the apartment and unexpectedly falls in love with the spirit of Divyavathi. Does the ghost reciprocate his feelings? Additionally, who is Divyavathi, and what ties does she have to a couple who perished in a fire at the start of the film? The resolution of these mysteries forms the climax of the story.
Performances
Ashish, previously lauded for his role as a college student in “Rowdy Boys,” shines in his new role as a Devil’s Hunter in this film. His distinctive acting enriches both the light-hearted and emotional scenes. Vaishnavi Chaitanya, a rising star, once again impresses with her significant role, forging a strong connection with the audience. Television actor Ravi Krishna also captures attention with his compelling performance. The narrative primarily centers on these three characters, although the supporting cast also delivers solid performances within their roles.
Direction
Director Arun, who is also a novelist, imparts a novelistic quality to the film, crafting the narrative as if it were narrated by a ghost, which adds a layer of intrigue. The first part of the film primarily follows Arjun’s search for Divyavathi. Engaging pre-interval scenes with the ghost and captivating twists in the second half keep the audience engaged. Arjun’s investigation into Divyavathi’s backstory and the revelations leading up to the climax are particularly compelling. However, the screenplay has its weaknesses, notably the introduction of multiple heroines without adequate character development, which can lead to confusion. The climax, too, tends to be underwhelming. Despite these issues, Director Arun’s effort to weave a love story with a ghostly twist achieves partial success.
Technically
On the technical front, P.C. Sreeram’s cinematography is mesmerizing, delivering stunning visuals with his expertise. Oscar-winner M.M. Keeravani’s background score is a major plus for the movie, effectively creating suspense and fear. The art department has also put in significant effort. The production values are high.
Plus Points
– Ashish and Vaishnavi Chaitanya
– Engaging narrative
– Technical aspects
Minus Points
– Confusing scenes
– Lack of emotions
